Demanding stories: television coverage of sustainability, climate change and material demand

This paper explores the past, present and future role of broadcasting, above all via the medium of television, in shaping how societies talk, think about and act on climate change and sustainability issues. The paper explores these broad themes via a focus on the important but relatively neglected issue of material demand and opportunities for its reduction. It takes the outputs and decision-making of one of the world’s most influential broadcasters, the BBC, as its primary focus. The paper considers these themes in terms of stories, touching on some of the broader societal frames of understanding into which they can be grouped. Media decision-makers and producers from a range of genres frequently return to the centrality of ‘story’ in the development, commissioning and production of an idea. With reference to specific examples of programming, and drawing on interviews with media practitioners, the paper considers the challenges of generating broadcast stories that can inspire engagement in issues around climate change, and specifically material demand. The concluding section proposes actions and approaches that might help to establish material demand reduction as a prominent way of thinking about climate change and environmental issues more widely. This article is part of the themed issue ‘Material demand reduction’

Collective scenarios: speculative improvisations for the Anthropocene

The article discusses the potential of speculative and improvisational modes of rehearsing collective futures in the context of the interlinked crises associated with the Anthropocene, among these climate change. The article draws on insights from a series of research, arts and public engagement projects where collaborative scenario–making was explored as a way of opening up civic space in the face of the high levels of uncertainty, global risks and collective action problems associated with climate futures and societal transformations. Scenarios are proposed as rehearsal spaces for more collective modes of responding to the prospect of uncertain futures. The article introduces the conceptual innovation of speculative improvisations, binding together strands from anticipation and futures studies, speculative research, speculative design thinking and participatory action on and engagement in urban futures. The article suggests that thinking and practicing the future otherwise involves considering responses and responsibilities in the present day as well as reconfiguring ways of imagining the future. The article considers the possibilities for speculative improvisations and develops the idea of collective scenarios as the anticipatory framework – or rehearsal – that can support a more vibrant and imaginative sense of how societies can be prepared for uncertain futures

Post-flood disaster responses in Malaysia : Kota Tinggi resettlement revisited

This paper will explore transformative accounts of adaptation in areas at risk of flooding in Malaysia in the context of increasing evidence of dangerous climate change. It is particularly concerned with the challenges presented to architectural practice in responding to adaptation measures to extreme weather impacts. It is based on fieldwork that took place in Kota Tinggi, Johor and Kelantan in Malaysia during 2014-2015, a time that coincided with the Kelantan floods. The flood disaster that affected Kelantan in December 2014 and January 2015 was unprecedented in Malaysian history. This situation has called for acute measures from different bodies for post-flood actions, including architectural responses to help victims rebuild their spatial environment. Whilst technical strategies to mitigate and adapt to climate change are an ever-increasing field of research, climate change is not just a technical challenge. This paper argues that a more holistic approach is needed in the field of architecture to understand how architects are changing the way they design to adapt to a new future with climate change. This paper revisits the flood resettlement projects created in Kota Tinggi and Johor following the floods of 2006-2007. It will discuss what can be learnt from these earlier housing projects that could be relevant to present-day responses to a flood disaster. To date, there has been limited research into the spatial and societal implications of climate change adaptation measures. This study seeks to contribute to the debate by providing suggestions and recommendations for the design of resettlement strategies for future victims of flooding in Malaysia